Norris Cole, age 70, of Hays, Kansas passed away Friday, February 25, 2022, at Redbud Village Nursing Care in Plainville, Kansas. Norris was born February 14, 1952, in Norton, Kansas, to Neale and Shirley (Glass) Cole. He graduated from Hays High in 1970. On February 10, 1971, he married Darlene B. Venneberg in Hays.
Norris worked for the family business Cole Standard Service in Hays then started driving water and acid trucks in the oil patch for several years. He then worked as a Fed-Ex Ground driver and route owner and finished his working career at Fort Hays State University. At Fort Hays he worked in the residential life custodial department and the at the chemistry department as a storekeeper. Norris was a proud US Marine veteran who served in Vietnam. His family was extremely important to him, and he enjoyed boating and camping with as much family as possible. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Hays.
Norris is survived by his wife of 51 years, Darlene of Hays; two daughters, Tammy Winters (Tom) of Plainville and Melanie Cole of Hays; a brother, Aaron Cole (Linda) of Russell; two sisters, Elaine Melton of Vicksburg, MS and Cinda Cole of Hays as well as six grandchildren, Dani Hartung (Ivan), Bailey Frasier (Kyle), Sister Mary Francesca Winters, Triton Cole (Alexa), Greg Cole (Megan) and Marina Valencia.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Nealene Cart Billau and a beloved son-in-law, Antonio Valencia.
Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Thursday, March 3, 2022, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays with Fr. Nick Parker officiating. Burial with Military Honors courtesy of the Hays VFW Post 9076 Honor Guard, The E.A. Schumacher Marine Corps League and the American Legion Riders Chapter 173 will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays.
Visitation will be Wednesday, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 67601.
A combined parish vigil and rosary service will be 7:00 PM Wednesday at the funeral chapel.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Hays VFW Honor Guard, Redbud Village or Hospice at HaysMed.
Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]